Matcha Magic: How to Find a High Quality Matcha
Everyone’s scoring the colour of their cuppa all over your feed and FYP, but is matcha really worth the hype? The answer is yes, if you pick a good one! Matcha is all about steady energy wrapped up in a beautiful, grounding ritual.
The lowdown on matcha
In a nutshell, matcha is powdered green tea. But unlike traditional green tea, where the leaves are steeped in hot water and then discarded, matcha is made by stone-grinding whole green tea leaves into a fine powder. Since you consume the entire leaf, matcha is much more concentrated - meaning it has a ton of antioxidants! It also has a richer, more layered flavour than plain green tea, which can be a little bitter for some people. Matcha is known for its smooth, mellow and subtly sweet flavour that has a hint of nuttiness. And matcha powder has a creamier texture when it’s whisked.
Choosing the best matcha
Let’s talk about what makes matcha magic! You can find matcha everywhere now, but it can be traced back centuries to East Asia, and brands like Soulfully Yours are carrying on the tradition - and that’s what sets them apart.
Here’s how to spot a high-quality matcha:
- It’s harvested with organic green tea plants that are shaded for a few weeks. This boosts chlorophyll and beneficial compounds like L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes calm and focus. If you’ve heard of “ceremonial grade” matcha, it means it has the max nutrients! Soulfully Yours goes one step further and has a 5A grade, which is the top tier in the matcha grading system. It’s made from the youngest, most tender leaves sourced from organic farmers in China, which means it has even higher L-theanine levels and a naturally sweet flavour with no aftertaste. The biggest tell of quality? You can enjoy the matcha powder on its own with hot water!
- It’s a vibrant, jade-green colour. This points to freshness, quality and how the matcha is grown (and it’s why you’ll see matcha enthusiasts judging the colour of their cup!).
- It’s stone-ground into an ultra-fine powder. This creates a silky texture, which leaves you with the smoothest, creamiest cup. When the leaves are milled in this way, you’ll end up with matcha powder that can be used for both traditional whisking and more modern recipes (matcha latte, anyone?).
The caffeine hit of coffee vs. matcha
If you’re sensitive to caffeine or looking to swap out that second coffee, try matcha!
Matcha does contain caffeine thanks to its green tea base, around ~60-70mg per cup. To compare, coffee has ~80mg-100mg caffeine per cup. While this doesn’t sound like much of a difference, matcha naturally contains L-theanine. When combined with caffeine, this amino acid supports focus, boosts mental clarity and reduces jitters. Matcha’s energy release is also steady and long-lasting, whereas coffee gives you that immediate caffeine hit (which has its place, for sure, but is also why a late coffee can disrupt your sleep!).
In other words? Matcha is our pick for smooth, steady energy. It’s great to sip on if you want to feel sharper and more focused. We love it for a mid-morning boost or an early arvo pick-me-up, but you can enjoy at any time of the day!
The health benefits of matcha
Matcha might be trendy, but the hype is real! Time to get science-y for a sec…
Matcha’s rich in catechins, a type of plant-based antioxidant that combats free radicals, calms inflammation and supports cellular health. It’s linked to healthy ageing and overall wellness, so drink up! Catechins can also enhance thermogenesis, which is one of the body’s key metabolic processes.
It also has that caffeine + L-theanine combo, which is proven to improve alertness, clarity and reaction time while reducing jitters. Matcha contains vitamins A, C and E as well as chlorophyll, which can boost immunity, skin healing and detoxification.
Nutrients aside, matcha is all about mindful enjoyment. It’s a ritual that really encourages you to pause, and that kind of nervous system regulation is key to wellbeing!
A mindful matcha routine
To whip up the perfect matcha:
- Sift ½ tsp of Soulfully Yours matcha powder in a bowl
- Add 70mL hot (not boiling) water
- Whisk in a zig-zag motion until frothy
- Enjoy as is or add your fav nut milk to make a hot/iced latte!
At GoodnessMe, we love taking three deep breaths before sipping, and pairing our matcha moment with journaling, a gratitude practice or getting some sun on our faces.
Top tip: You can also pop matcha powder into smoothies or dessert!
Make matcha magic at home
Once you try a high-quality, ceremonial-grade matcha, you’ll never go back. Shop Soulfully Yours Matcha at GoodnessMe, and please tag us - we’d love to see your mindful matcha moment!